Han Li glanced at the two women's expressions, stroked his chin, and showed a thoughtful look. One of the women extended her hand to touch the wall; a ripple of green light spread out, and suddenly a stone door appeared there. "The young servant can only escort the elder this far," the elder hurriedly said, and then bowed and withdrew. Han Li didn't pay much attention, stepping boldly into the room. After crossing a short corridor, he entered a grand hall. Lady Fan, dressed in a light green gown with a gentle makeup, stood at the center of the room, awaiting him with a warm, smiling expression. With a gentle smile, she bowed gracefully, her delicate lips parting to reveal a thousand charms. Then, she gracefully stepped aside to invite Han Li to take a seat. Han Li glanced at the sandalwood chair behind the woman, raised an eyebrow slightly, and then walked over without hesitation to sit down. Then, after glancing around at the delicate, gently frowning beauty of the lady, he spoke calmly: "It seems the lady has no concern at all. I have come, then, for reasons that are unfavorable to your household." "Your honor is jesting. With your level of cultivation, how could you possibly trouble a mere late-stage Foundation Stage disciple like myself?" Lady Fan lightly stepped over and sat beside Han Li, then smiled softly,掩着嘴。 Lady Fan's expression seemed calm on her face, though a subtle flush of anger flickered in her eyes—she said nothing. Seeing this, Han Li glanced at the two women, and his mind stirred with a sudden thought. "Master, what would you like our sect to do for you? If we can assist in any way, we will do our utmost." Holding the clear tea before her, Lady Fan took a small sip and asked with composed grace. "Since you've said that, I don't wish to delay or make things complicated. May I ask whether your sect's transmission array back to the Inner Sea has been fully completed? I would like to borrow it for a while." Han Li spoke with steady composure, as though mentioning a matter of minor importance. "The transmission array?" Lady Fan was momentarily taken aback, then her eyes flickered with a half-smiling, half-reflective expression. "I'm afraid I must disappoint you. The array has not yet been fully completed. However, it may be nearing completion—only a few more days or weeks may be needed..." "How long exactly?" "Han Li didn't wait for the young lady to finish, cutting her off coldly. "This isn't easy to explain! As you know, the current array is missing just those dreamstone fragments. Last time, Yun Elder went with other senior disciples to the dreamstone source to collect them, but the local beasts were startled and stirred up a great battle—only a small amount of material was managed to be gathered, and several senior disciples were injured. Under these circumstances, Yun Elder has been planning the next expedition, just about to—." Lady Fan hesitated slightly, placing her teacup back on the table, then proceeded to explain to Han Li. "Ah..." Suddenly, the female cultivator standing behind Lady Fan cleared her throat lightly. On Lady Fan's delicate, blossoming face, a hint of irritation flashed, yet soon, as if restrained by some consideration, she paused her words. Han Li's expression changed slightly, then he raised his head, coldly fixing his gaze on the female cultivator, causing her to quickly lower her head in apprehension. "Therefore, in the near term, the use of the teleportation array will be impossible." As for the words that followed, Li had no need to speak them. "I shall now take my leave," said Han Li, after a brief thought, and rose to leave with no intention of staying long. Yet before leaving the hall, he seemed to wish to confirm something, gazing back with a deeply thoughtful expression, before departing calmly. "Master! Why have you kept this person here? Doesn't it seem a bit hasty? Last time, the Li cultivator outright rejected our efforts to win him over." As the first-level Han Li's figure disappeared from behind the hall, the young female cultivator standing behind Lady Fan spoke softly, her voice delicate and carrying an unspoken charm that contrasted pleasantly with her refined appearance—a quality that would surely stir the heart of any man. Though her tone remained respectful, there was an undercurrent of inquiry in her words. "Yunqin! You're growing bolder by the day. This elder Li cultivator is truly remarkable in his cultivation. I've deliberately sought to cultivate a relationship with him—what's wrong with that? When did the time come for you to take the lead?" Lady Fan's face darkened upon hearing this. "Please forgive me, Master. I only received a specific instruction from Elder Yun just before I departed. I hope you won't make any decisions that would trouble me." "The young lady spoke with great humility, yet showed not the slightest sign of yielding, and even invoked Yun Tianxiao to support her. 'Hmph! This matter will be settled once Yun Tianxiao returns. I shall personally inform him. As for me, I have other matters to attend to—please excuse me!' Lady Fan's expression grew even colder. With a sweeping motion of her long sleeve, she turned and walked away without a backward glance. Inside the Great Hall, only the young lady remained, her face alternately clouded and composed. ... In the evening, in a tastefully appointed and comfortable room, Han Li lay on the wooden bed, his eyes fixed, lost in thought. Though he had unexpectedly stayed overnight in the marketplace, he felt no concern at all. He had already thoroughly scanned the area with his powerful spiritual awareness. The highest-ranking cultivators here were only a few late Foundation Stage practitioners, such as Lady Fan—there were no Dan Stage cultivators, let alone the senior Yuan Yin Stage elders. Unless something unforeseen occurred, he could rest assured of being safe and undisturbed here." Yet now he was pondering whether he truly needed to take several years, traveling by sea, to make his way back to the inland sea. At that moment, several soft knocks echoed from outside the door. "Come in," said Han Li, his body remaining still as he spoke softly from the bed—seeming to have known the visitor all along. To his surprise, a graceful, tender laugh came from outside, and Fan Lady, dressed in her finest, stepped in. With a delicate, graceful stride, she moved to the center of the room, her hair adorned with ink-stained waves, radiating charm and grace. "You've not rested at all, Master, though it's so late. It seems you've known I would come." As the fragrance of her presence filled the air, she sat down closely beside Han Li on the bed, not shy at all, and smiled warmly at him. "Master Fan has made your intentions so clear. I would like to know, then, what specific matter you wish to discuss privately with Li. Should it not be related to the teleportation array, I shall have no interest in hearing about it." Han Li did not even glance at her, simply closed his eyes and spoke softly. "Of course." "Having been chased by so many seasoned elders all the way to this alien sea, Master Han naturally wants to return." "What did you just say? Who is Master Han!" The body of Han Li, lying there, stiffened instantly. He snapped his eyes open, his gaze sharp and piercing, fixing it on the beautiful woman before him, his voice now cold and sharply demanding. "I'm referring to Master Han of our sect," said Lady Fan, remaining calm and composed despite Han Li's intense stare, showing not the slightest sign of agitation. Han Li stared at her for a moment, then sat up straight. "How did you recognize me? With your level of cultivation, you couldn't possibly have discerned my true appearance," Han Li said, regaining his composure and speaking calmly. "I didn't see you—I smelled you," Lady Fan replied, extending her pale, jade-like wrist, gently brushing a lock of hair from her forehead, her eyes flashing with a hint of cunning. "By smelling you?" Han Li paused, his face now expressing a mix of surprise and bewilderment. Noticing a faint expression of confusion on Han Li's face, Fan Lady took a small sip and smiled lightly, explaining, "I have always been different from ordinary people. I can clearly distinguish the subtle vital energies of individuals and retain certain scents that catch my attention—some of which I can remember permanently. Unfortunately, when I first became interested in Master Han, I had already recorded his elder presence in my memory, and I haven't forgotten it yet. During the market visit last time, Master Han was quite distant, and the crowd was so large and bustling that I didn't realize his identity. But now, with our close proximity throughout the day in the hall, it's impossible for Master Han to remain unnoticed by me." At this moment, Fan Lady's eyes shimmered as if they could drip with water, gazing at Han Li with graceful charm, her lips gently curved in a quiet smile.